STORAGE RACK

Abstract

A storage rack includes a shelf board on which an object to be stored is placed and which is installed so as to slidably move in a horizontal direction from a depth direction of a rack main body to a front direction, which is outside the rack main body, and a supporting structure, a movement of which is coupled with the sliding movement of the shelf board to support the shelf board which has been pulled out by the sliding movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage rack for storing objects. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-293245, filed Dec. 28, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, when a power source is made up secondary batteries, a plurality of secondary battery is used to form a assembly battery. When secondary batteries are used as a power source for wind power stations and various types of stationary appliances, the power source might be made up the assembly battery that is made up of dozens of batteries. In this case, the plurality of secondary batteries are stored by being arrayed on storage racks and connected to each other by bus-bars or electric cables, for forming thereby constituting the assembly battery Then, when it is necessary to maintenance or replacement, an operator takes out the secondary batteries from the front of the storage rack in which the secondary batteries have been stored, and the operator put back the secondary batteries to the storage rack in which the secondary batteries have been stored.

As a storage rack for storing an object to be stored such as the above-described secondary battery, a storage rack has a sliding device which supports the object to slide itself freely has been proposed (e.g., refer to Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Application No. S60-167550). As a sliding device, a slidable bar is provided to the storage rack in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Application No. S60-167550 inside the storage rack. And then, the object to be stored is placed on the sliding bar. Therefore, the object on the bar can be pulled out from the inside of the storage rack, when the bar is slid from the inside. Then, an operator is able to take in and out the object in a storage rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, regarding the storage rack disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Application No. S60-167550, when the object is slid with the sliding device, all weight of the object (i.e., a load of the object to be stored) is applied to the sliding device. Therefore, when a heavy object such as a secondary battery is stored, it has been difficult to stably support the object by the sliding device. For supporting the object stably, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the sliding device. However, this is results in an increase in weight of the storage rack and a difficulty in maintenance. They are problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, an object of which is to provide a storage rack which is simple in constitution and able to take out a heavy object such as a secondary battery placed on a shelf board.

[Structure]

An aspect of the present invention is a storage rack for setting an object to be stored (hereinafter referred as “the storage rack of the present invention”) comprising: a shelf board where the object is placed and which is able to slide in a horizontal direction from a rear side of a rack main body to an outside of the rack main body toward a front side of the rack main body; a supporting structure supporting the shelf board by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid.

With the storage rack of the present invention, a heavy object can be moved out from the storage rack (i.e., a rack main body) easily by pulling out and sliding the shelf board even if an object, which is a heavy object such as a secondary battery, is placed on the shelf board. Generally, when a shelf board on which an object to be stored has been placed is pulled out, the pulled-out shelf board is held like a cantilever. It means that the shelf board is supported only at the base end in the pulled-out direction. As a result, supporting of the pulled-out shelf board becomes unstable.

Because the storage rack of the present invention has a supporting structure, a movement of which is coupled with the sliding movement of the shelf board, the supporting structure is able to support the shelf board which has been pulled out from the storage rack. Thereby, even when a heavy object is placed on the shelf board, it is possible to stably support the pulled-out shelf board. Further, as described above, because the shelf board can be stably supported by the supporting structure, supporting the shelf board by moving together with the shelf board, it is possible to simplify a structure of a slide guide, which slidably supports the shelf board at side ends of the shelf board and a structure of the shelf board, which directly supports the object to be stored.

Effect of the Invention

With the storage rack of the present invention, the object to be stored can be pulled out in a state where the object is stably supported on a shelf board even if the object is a heavy object such as a secondary battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a storage rack of a first embodiment or a second embodiment of the present invention, which is installed inside a container and which stores batteries.

FIG. 2 illustrates front view with taken along the line X1 to X1 in FIG. 1 of the storage rack of the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a shelf board which is pulled-out from the storage rack of the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates of shows a supporting structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates front view with taken along the line X1 to X1 in FIG. 4 of the supporting structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a shelf board is pulled out from the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention and that a fitting body is fitted into a second fitting recessed site.

FIG. 7 illustrates a state that the shelf board is pulled out from the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention and that the fitting body which has been fitted into the second fitting recessed site is drawn out from the second fitting recessed site by operating an operation part.

FIG. 8 illustrates a state that the shelf board is pulled out from the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention and that the fitting body is fitted into a third fitting recessed site.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified example of the supporting structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the modified example of the supporting structure of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention and that the supporting structure constituted in order that a handle and a lever member work together.

FIG. 11 illustrates an arrow view taken along the line X1 to X1 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a supporting structure of a storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view with taken along the line X1 to X1 in FIG. 12 and that the supporting structure of the storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates that a state that a shelf board is pulled out from the storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are a view of a linking part of the supporting structure of the storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the Invention

Hereinafter, a description will be Liven of the storage rack of the first embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

FIG. 1 illustrates a movable battery unit 100 including a plurality of batteries.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery unit 100 includes box-shaped container 2, a pair of storage racks 10, 11 arranged inside the container 2, and a plurality of batteries 1 on the storage racks 10, 11. The batteries 1 are examples as objects to be stored. The battery 1 is not limited to any particular type. For example, if may be a secondary battery or a fuel cell. Here, directional axes used in the following description will be defined as follows. An X axis direction, a Y axis direction and a Z axis direction are there is enough space respectively given as a width direction T2 of the storage rack, a depth direction T3 of the storage rack, and a vertical direction T1 of the storage rack.

In the present embodiment, the pair of storage racks 10, 11 inside the container 2 are installed together along the longitudinal direction of the container 2, there is enough space between the storage racks. The space between the pair of storage racks 10, 11 forms an aisle 3 which is wide enough for an operator to pass through.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the storage racks 10, 11 includes the a frame (i.e., rack main body) 4 fixed on the floor surface of the container 2, a plurality of shelf boards 5 attached to the frame 4 in a multiple stage at predetermined intervals in a vertical direction T1, and a slide guide 6 for supporting the shelf board 5 and for being slidable with respect to the frame 4. The plurality of shelf boards 5 are installed at each of the stages along a horizontal direction T2 which is the width direction of the storage racks 10, 11 (i.e., rack main bodies). A side wall 7 attached to the frame 4 is also installed on both side end sides of each of the shelf boards 5.

Further, the slide guides 6 are extended in a horizontal direction T3 which is the depth direction of each of the storage racks 10, 11 and installed to make a pair corresponding to each of the shelf boards 5. Then, each of the shelf boards 5 is supported at the both side ends thereof by the corresponding pair of slide guides 6 in order to slidably move in the horizontal direction T3.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the shelf boards 5 is installed that is guided by the slide guides 6 and slidably move from a corresponding storage rack between the storage racks 10, 11 to the aisle 3 side that can be pulled outward in the horizontal direction T3 from the storage racks 10, 11.

In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment configured as explained above, two of the batteries 1 are arrange and placed on the shelf boards 5 along the horizontal direction T3 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Further, the pair of batteries 1 placed on the same shelf board 5 are electrically connected by a plate-shaped bus bar which is Figures. Still further, the pairs of batteries 1 placed on different shelf boards 5 are electrically connected. For example, they are connected by a freely extendable cable formed in a helical shape which is Figures. Thus, the plurality of batteries 1 is connected in series or in parallel, to form assemble batteries.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, the shelf boards 5 is guided by the the pair of slide guides 6 and is able to be pulled out to the aisle 3 side. The batteries 1 placed on the shelf boards 5 can be taken out from the corresponding storage rack at position where is on the aisle 3.

At this time, because the cable is formed to be freely extendable, irrespective of a change in the relative position of the batteries 1 belonging to two different shelf boards 5, the batteries 1 placed on each of the shelf boards 5 can be taken out from the storage racks 10, 11 without removing the cable.

Here, the plurality of batteries 1 placed on a shelf board 5 is heavy objects. Therefore, when the shelf board 5 is simply slid and be pulled out the aisle 3, the shelf board 5 become like cantilever and is unstable. As a result, it is difficult to replace the batteries 1, and to do scheduled maintenance or the like.

On the other hand, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a supporting structure 8 move with the shelf board sliding along with the slid guide 6. The supporting structure 8 is installed on each of the shelf boards 5. A handle 9 is fixed on the shelf board 5. Therefore an operator can grip the handle 9, and control to make the shelf board 5 slidably moved along the aisle 3.

The supporting structure 8 of the storage rack of the present embodiment include a guide part 15 formed at one side end of the rack main body 4, a rod-shaped supporting part 16 for supporting the shelf board 5 that is able to slidably move along the slide guides 6, and an operation part 17 for operating the supporting part 16.

The guide part 15 includes a guide groove which is recessed to an outer surface side from an inner surface of one of the side walls 7. The guide groove 15 is formed from a rear end 7a side in the depth direction T3 of one of the side walls 7 (i.e., approximately at the middle on the rear side of the rack main body) to a front end 7b (i.e., to the front side of the rack main body). The guide groove ascends gradually from the rear end 7a side in the depth direction T3 to the front end 7b. Further, the fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20 are formed on an upward facing surface 15a of the guide groove. The upward facing surface 15a is a side of guide groove with faces upward. These fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20 are formed downward along the inclined surface (i.e., guide surface) 15a.

Then, the guide groove (i.e., a guide part) 15 of the storage shelf of the present embodiment includes a first fitting recessed site 18 at the lowest end and, a second lowest fitting recessed site 19, and a third lowest fitting recessed site 20 between the lower end and the upper end, with a predetermined interval.

The supporting part 16 includes a supporting rod 16a, the upper end side of which is pivotably connected to one side end of the shelf board 5, and a fitting body 16b which is a connect shape, formed installed integrally at the lower end side of the supporting rod 16a, and which is able to be fitted into or caught by the fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20 according to being guided by the guide groove 15.

The upper end side of the supporting rod 16a is pivotably connected to one side end of the shelf board 5 with a first hinge 21. Therefore, the supporting rod 16a is allowed to turn along the inner surface of one of the side walls 7 with respect to the shelf board 5. Further, the position of the first hinge 21 is placed between the guide groove 15 and the front end of the storage rack 10 horizontally in T3 direction in FIG. 4, when the shelf board 5 is pushed in (i.e., when the shelf board 5 is completely housed in the rack main body, and the fitting body 16b is caught by the first fitting recessed site 18).

The fitting body 16b is formed to project outside in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the supporting rod 16a (i.e., approximately the inner surface side of one of the side walls 7). Further, the fitting body 16b is formed in a cylindrical shape. One end the fitting body 16b is a inserted and engaged into the guide groove.

The operation part 17 includes a lever member 23, which is pivotably connected to the front part of one side end of the shelf board 5 in the depth direction T3 with a second hinge 22, and a pressing member 25 which is pivotably connected to the front part of one side end of the shelf board 5 in the depth direction T3 with a third hinge 24.

The lever member 23 is formed substantially in a rod shape and extends to both sides horizontally from the second hinge 22.

The lever member 23 has two portions. A portion closer to the front end of the rack main body 4 is a lever part 23a. The lever part 23a is able to be turned by an operator's hand. Another portion closer to the rear end of the rack main body 4 is a pressing part 23b.

The pressing member 25 is formed substantially in an L-shaped and pivotably connected to one side end of the shelf board 5 with the third hinge 24. The third hinge 24 is arranged between the first hinge 21 and the second hinge 22 in the depth direction 13. Similar to the lever member 23, the pressing member 25 has two portions. Instead of the location of the second hinge 22, the third hinge 24 defines the boundary of the two portions. Another portion closer to the front end of the rack main body 4 is a lever pressing part 25a. A portion closer to the rear end of the rack main body 4 is a supporting rod pressing part 25b. The lever pressing part 25a is placed below to and near the pressing part 23b of the lever member 23. The supporting rod pressing part 25b is placed close to the supporting rod 16a and on the front side of the supporting rod 16a.

In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, there are included the above-constituted supporting structure 8 as shown in FIG. 4. When the batteries 1 are placed on the shelf board 5 which is arranged inside the frame 4, the fitting body 16b is fitted into the first fitting recessed site 18 of the guide groove 15. As shown in FIG. 6, when the batteries 1 are tried to be replaced, during the maintenance, the shelf board 5 on which the batteries 1 are placed is pulled out from the frame 4. When the shelf boards is being pulled out the supporting rod 16a is moved together according to the movement of the shelf board 5, by pivoting at the first hinge 21, and the fitting body 16b comes out or escapes from the first fitting recessed site 18. When the shelf board 5 is pulled out further from the frame 4, the fitting body 16b moves toward the front end of the storage racks 10, 11 along the guide groove 15.

Then, when the fitting body 16b reaches to the second fitting recessed site 19, the supporting rod 16a and the fitting body 16b pivot at the first hinge 21 due to their own weight, and the fitting body 16b is trapped and caught by the second fitting recessed site 19. Thereby, the shelf board 5 is supported by the supporting rod 16a, because the upper end of the supporting rod 16 is connected to the shelf board 5 and the lower-end side fitting body 16b is fitted into and caught by the second fitting recessed site 19. Thus, even when the heavy batteries (i.e., objects to be stored) 1 are placed on the shelf board 5, the loads are received by the supporting rod 16a and transferred through the fitting body 16b and the guide groove 15 to the side wall 7 and the frame 4. It is, thereby, possible to support the batteries 1 in a stable state.

Then, when the shelf board 5 is further instead to be pulled out from the frame 4, as shown in FIG. 7, an operator manually raises the lever part 23a of the lever member 23 at the operation part 17. This action allows the lever member 23 to turn on the second hinge 22. Because the lever member 23 is operated as described above, the pressing part 23b of the lever member 23 presses the lever pressing part 25a of the pressing member 25 downward. Therefore, the pressing member 25 turns on direction by the third hinge 24, the supporting rod pressing part 25b of the pressing member 25 presses the supporting rod 16a upward, consequently the supporting rod 16a turns on the first hinge 21 and the fitting body 16b comes out or escapes from the second fitting recessed site 19. Therefore, an operator is able to pull the shelf board 5 out by using the handle 9. In addition, the fitting body 16b is guided by the guide groove 15 and moves further forward and upward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the shelf board 5 is further pulled out the aisle 3, the fitting body 16b is trapped and caught by the third fitting recessed site 20. Therefore, the shelf board 5 is supported by the supporting rod 16a, because the upper end side of the supporting rod 16a is connected to the shelf board 5 and the lower-end side fitting body 16b is fitted into the third fitting recessed site 20. In addition, even when the heavy batteries 1 are placed on the shelf board 5, the loads are received by the supporting rod 16a and transferred through the fitting body 16b and the guide groove 15 to the side wall 7 and the frame 4. Therefore, it is possible to support the batteries 1 stably. Thereby, the replacement of the batteries 1 and its maintenance can be suitably carried out.

After that, when an operator intend to insert the shelf board 5 inside the frame 4, the operator manually raises the lever member 23 of the operation part 17, and presses the shelf board 5 inside. Therefore, the fitting body 16b is guided by the guide groove 15 and moves backward and downward. In the meantime, the shelf board 5 slidably moves inside the storage racks 10, 11 and is duly stored.

Therefore, according to the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, the object to be stored 1 can be easily moved out from the storage racks 10, 11 by pulling out the shelf board 5, even if the object is a heavy object such as a secondary battery.

Furthermore, the object to be stored 1 can be pulled out in a state where the object is stably supported on a shelf board 5 even if the object is a heavy object such as a secondary battery, since the shelf board 5 is provided with the supporting structure 8, a movement of which is coupled with the sliding movement of the shelf board 5 to support the shelf board 5. Still further, since the shelf board 5 can be stably supported by the supporting structure 8, a movement of which is coupled with the movement of the shelf board 5, it is possible to simplify a structure of a slide guide 6, which slidably supports the shelf board at side edges of the shelf board and a structure of the shelf board 5, which directly supports the object to be stored 1.

Further, when the shelf board 5 is allowed to slidably move, the supporting part 16, the upper end of which is pivotably connected to the side edge of the shelf board 5, pivots. Then, the fitting body 16b at the lower end side of the supporting part 16 moves inside the guide groove 15 and is trapped in the fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20. Thereby, loads of the pulled-out shelf board 5 can be received and supported by the supporting part 16. Even when the heavy objects to be stored 1 are placed on the shelf board 5, it is possible to stably support (retain) the pulled-out shelf board 5.

Furthermore, by turning the lever member 23 of the operation part 15, the supporting part 16 can be pressed to be pivoted. Thus, the fitting body 16b can be easily released from the entrapped state in the fitting recessed sites 19, 20 by turning the lever member 23 to pull out the fitting body 16b from the fitting recessed sites 19, 20. As a result, the shelf board 5 can make a sliding movement by letting the fitting body 16b moving along the guide groove 15.

Thus, by using the storage racks 10, 11 of the present invention, fast and flexible response can be made in replacement and maintenance operations of the batteries 1, since the pulled-out shelf board 5 is stably supported and each of the batteries 1 can be easily accessed with an operator in a case where a large number of the batteries 1 are set inside the container 2 and used by being placed on the shelf board 5.

The first embodiment of the storage rack of the present invention is explained above. However, the storage rack of the present invention shall not be limited to the above-described first embodiment. The storage rack of the present invention may be changed whenever necessary within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the three fitting recessed sites 18, 19, 20 are provided on the upward facing surface of the guide groove 15. However, the fitting recessed sites are not in particular limited to the number and the position thereof.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an intersecting angle θ formed between a surface of the fitting recessed sites 19, 20 facing to the back of each of the storage racks 10, 11 and the guide surface may be made obtuse. At this time, when the shelf board 5 is pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11, it is possible to reduce force necessary for releasing the fitting body 16b from the fitting recessed sites 19, 20 and increase the usability.

Further, in the present embodiment, as to the supporting structure 8 of storage racks 10, 11, an operator manually raises the lever part 23a of the lever member 23 at the operation part 17, and the supporting rod 16a of supporting part 16 to pivot and then the operator separately pulls and pushes the handle 9 to take in and out the shelf board 5.

However, the supporting structure 8 of storage racks 10, 11 it is possible to form a structure to make, the lever member 23 to work together with the supporting rod 16a when an operator grips the handle 9. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the handle 9 is extended along the width direction T2 and connected to lever part 23a of the lever member 23 and a turning shaft 26 of the shelf board 5. According to this structure, when an operator grips and raises the handle 9, the handle 9 pivots the turning shaft 26 and the second hinge 22. At this time the lever member 23 work together. Therefore, it is possible to move, the supporting rod 16a upward. Further, an operator is able to pull and push the handle 9 while gripping and raising the handle 9, for taking in and out the shelf board 5. It is possible to take in and out the shelf board 5 more easily than the present embodiment and also increase the usability.

In the present embodiment, a description has been given on the assumption that the storage racks 10, 11 are installed inside the container 2 and used for storing the batteries 1 such as secondary batteries. However, the storage rack of the present invention shall not be limited to the use of storing the batteries 1 and is, of course, applicable to any and all places for storing (placing) any objects to be stored.

Next, a description will be given of the storage rack of the second embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 15B. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only about the supporting structure. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given to the same structures as those of the first embodiment, and a detailed description omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a supporting structure 30 of the present embodiment includes guide part 31 which is a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped, a substantially tubular linking part 32, and a rod-shaped supporting part 34. Both end of the guide part 31 are fixed to one of side walls 7 or the frame 4 of each of the storage racks 10. 11. The guide part 31 is inserted into the linking part 32, and the linking part 32 is guided by the guide part 31 and allowed to move forward and backward along the guide part 31. Further, the linking part 32 is fixable to the guide part 31. One end of the supporting part 34 is connected to one side end of the shelf board 5 in order to pivot on a first hinge 33. Another end of the supporting part 4 is pivotably connected to the linking part 32. Therefore the shelf board 5 is able to slidably move along slide guides 6.

One end of guide part 31 of the present embodiment is fixed in front of the other end itself and the one end is in the depth direction T3.

The linking part 32 is formed into a substantially tubular tube shape. The linking part 32 has two portions has that are formed by cutting the tubular tube to blocks along the axis line. The two blocks (i.e., the block 32a and the block 32b) are coupled with an elastic member 32c to form a substantially tubular shape. Then, the linking part 32 is attached in such a manner that the guide part 31 is inserted through an inner hole formed by the block 32a and the block 32b. As a result, the guide part 31 is retained by the block 32a and the block 32b on the guide part 31.

In the linking part 32, the lower end of the supporting part 34 is connected to the block 32a in order to pivot on a second hinge 35. When an operator lifts a shelf board 5, the linking part 32 can be released and become to move as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. When the operator stops lifting the shelf board 5, a force is generated for one divided block 32a to move closer to the other divided block 32b due to the loads transferred from the supporting part 34. Therefore, the guide part 31 is clamped and retained by both of the blocks 32a and 32b.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, a cross section of an inner surface 32d of the block 32a in the plane parallel to the directions T1 and T2 is formed in L-shape or bended-shape. When the linking part 32 is locked on the guide part 31 as shown in FIG. 15A, the upper half portion of the inner surface 32d aligns parallel to the outer surface of the guide part 31 and is pressed and contacted to the surface that is parallel to the outer surface 32e of the block 32a. On the other hand, the lower half portion of the inner surface 32d is formed with a gradual inclination toward the outer surface 32e, increasing the diameter of the inner hole of the linking part 32 downward. In addition, the upper end portion of the block 32a, and the lower end part of the supporting part 34 is pivotably connected to the upper part end portion of the block 32a with the second hinge 35.

As shown in FIG. 15A, as to the linking part 32, the guide part 31 is clamped and retained by both the upper end of the block 32a and the inner surface 32d of the other block 32b. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the supporting part 34 is allowed to pivot on the first hinge 33, the upper end side of the block 32a is detached from the guide part 3 the upper-end side inner surface 32d of the block 32 is able to move from the outer surface of the guide part 31. Therefore, the linking part 32 is released from the guide part 31. At this time, the lower-end side inner surface 32d of the block 32a moves closer to the outer surface of the guide part 31.

In the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, when an operator lifts the shelf board 5 and pulls the handle 9, the shelf board 5, on which the batteries 1 are placed, is able to be pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11. When the shelf board 5 is pulled out from the storage racks 10, 11, the upper end side of the supporting part 34 is pulled together with the shelf board 5. As described above, when the supporting part 34 is pulled, the block 32a of the linking part 32 moves to increase the diameter of the inner hole of the linking part 32. Thereby, state of the linking part 32 is released and the linking part 32 is guided by the guide part 31 and is able to move upward.

Then, when an operator pulls out the shelf board 5 to a desired position and stops the sliding movement of the shelf board 5, the supporting part 34 and the block 32a of the linking part 32 are no longer pulled. As a result, the diameter of the inner hole of the linking part 32 is reduced, and the linking part 32 is locked on the guide part 31. Consequently, loads of the shelf board 5 are received by the supporting part 34 and guide part 31, even if the shelf board 5, on which the heavy batteries 1 are placed, is pulled out in an intended distance and the shelf board 5 is stably supported.

On the other hand, when the shelf board 5 is stored and inserted in the storage racks 10, 11, an operator lifts the shelf board 5 and presses t the shelf board 5 slidably to the storage racks 10, 11. Thereby, while turning by the first hinge 33, the upper end side of the supporting part 34 is pressed inside together with the shelf board 5. Then, as described above, the upper end side of the supporting part 34 is pressed inside, by which the lower end side of the supporting part 34 is pressed downward while being turned by the second hinge 35.

Further, when an operator stores the shelf board 5 into the storage racks 10,11 and inside to stop the sliding movement, one divided block 32a undergoes displacement so as to move closer to the other divided block 32b due to the restoring force of the elastic member 32c and due to the loads derived from the supporting part 34. Therefore, the inner hole of the linking part 32 is reduced in diameter. Thereby, the linking part 32 is locked and fixed to the guide part 31. The loads of the shelf board 5 are received by the supporting part 34 and the guide part 31, by which the shelf board 5 is supported in a stable state and stored in the storage racks 10, 11.

Therefore, even when heavy objects such as secondary batteries are placed on the shelf board 5, by pulling out the shelf board 5, the objects can be taken out easily from the storage racks 10, 11.

Further, each of the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment includes the supporting structure 30, a movement of which is coupled with the sliding movement of the shelf board 5 to support the shelf board 5. Therefore, even when the heavy objects are placed on the shelf board 5, it is possible to stably support the pulled-out shelf board 5. Still further, because the shelf board 5 can be stably supported by the supporting structure 30, it is possible to simplify a structure of the slide guide 6 which supports at the base end the shelf board 5 or a structure of the shelf board 5 which directly supports the objects to be stored 1.

In addition, in the storage racks 10, 11 of the present embodiment, when the shelf board 5 is allowed to slidably move, the supporting part 34 turns, the upper end side of which is connected to one side end of the shelf board 5 so as to turn. Thereby, the linking part 32 connected to the lower end side of the supporting part 34 is allowed to move forward and backward along the guide part 31. Then, upon stop of the sliding movement of the shelf board 5, the linking part 32 is fixed to the guide part 31. Thereby, loads of the pulled-out shelf board 5 can be received and supported from the supporting part 34 to the linking part 32 and from the linking part 32 to the guide part 31. Thus, even when the heavy objects are placed on the shelf board 5, it is possible to stably support the pulled-out shelf board 5.

Further, the supporting structure 30 is able to support and retain the shelf board 5 which has been pulled out to a desired position, without any restriction on a pulled-out amount of the shelf board 5. Still further, the supporting rod of the second embodiment is smoother in motion and better in operating performance than that of the first embodiment.

Thus, when a large number of the batteries 1 are set inside the container 2 and used by being placed on the shelf board 5, and when the batteries 1 have deteriorated or are damaged or regular maintenance is to be carried out, an operator is able to retain the pulled-out shelf board 5 in a stable state and gain access to the batteries 1 easily. It is thus, possible to replace the batteries 1 or perform maintenance work quickly and flexibly.

A description has been so far given of the second embodiment of the storage rack of the present invention, however, the present invention shall not be limited to the above-described second embodiment. The present invention may be changed whenever necessary within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage rack for setting object to be stored comprising:

a shelf board where the object is placed and which is able to slide in a horizontal direction from a rear side of a rack main body to an outside of the rack main body toward a front side of the rack main body;

a supporting structure supporting the shelf board by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid.

2. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein

the supporting structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part supporting the shelf board, by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and an operation part for operating the supporting part,

wherein, the guide part comprises a guide groove, which has a gradual upward inclination from the rear side to the front side and of which a surface facing upward has a fitting recessed site dented downward; the supporting part has an end which is located upward and is connected to side end of the shelf board, and has a fitting body at the other end of the supporting part, which moves along with the guide groove and fits into the fitting recessed site.

3. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein

the supporting structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part supporting the shelf board, by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and a linking part for linking the guide part and the supporting part,

wherein, the guide part is fixed to a side end of the rack main body with a gradual upward inclination from the rear side to the front side of the rack main body;

the supporting part has an end which is connected to a side of the shelf board and has another and located downward which is connected to the linking part; and the linking part moves together with the supporting part when the supporting part moves pivotably.

4. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein

the supporting structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part having rod shape and supporting the shelf board by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and an operation part for operating the supporting part,

wherein, the guide part comprises a guide groove, which has a gradual upward inclination from the rear side to the front side and of which an surface facing upward has a fitting recessed site dented downward; the supporting part has an end which is located upward and is pivotably connected to the side end of the shelf board and has a fitting body at the other end of the supporting part, which moves along with the guide groove and fits into the fitting recessed site; the operation part comprises a lever member and a pressing member, both of which are provided on the side end of the shelf board and able to pivot and; the pressing member for pressing the supporting part to pivot during being pressed by the lever member when the lever member is made to pivot.

5. A storage rack according to claim 1, wherein

the supporting structure comprises: a guide part arranged on a part of the rack main body where is a side end of the shelf board; a supporting part having a rod shape and supporting the shelf board by moving together with the shelf board when the shelf board is slid; and a linking part for linking the guide part and the supporting part,

wherein, the guide part is fixed to a side end of the rack main body with a gradual upward inclination from the rear side to the front side of the rack main body; the supporting part has an end which is pivotably connected to a side of the shelf board and has another and located downward which is connected to the linking part; and the linking part moves together with the supporting part forward or backward when the supporting part moves pivotably.